Bravesqueak Tactics

DEVELOPMENTAL STATE: Early-stage prototype

Instruction Manual

Welcome to Bravesqueak Tactics, a strategic role-playing game set in the deep Undergrowth. Here, you lead a courageous band of mice, shrews, and other woodland critters to defend their home. In a world where a fallen branch is a bridge and a puddle is a lake, size doesn't matter as much as courage—and a sharp needle!

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Table of Contents

1. Getting Started
2. Controls
3. The Battle System
4. Your Army (The Colony)
5. Tips for Victory
6. Credits

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Getting Started

To begin your adventure, launch the game executable.

• New Game: Start a fresh campaign with a new litter of heroes.
• Continue: Resume your journey from a previously saved slot.
• Options: Configure video, audio, and control settings.

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Controls

Bravesqueak Tactics is designed to be played entirely with the keyboard, offering a classic console-style experience.

Action	Key	Description
Navigate / Move Cursor	Arrow Keys	Move through menus or the battlefield grid.
Confirm / Action	Z or Enter	Select an option, confirm an action, or interact.
Cancel / Menu	X	Go back, cancel a selection, or open the System Menu.
Camera Control	W, A, S, D	Pan the camera around the battlefield.
Zoom	+ / -	Zoom the camera in or out.
Pause	ESC	Pause the battle.

Note: Key bindings can be customized in the Options menu.

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The Battle System

Combat takes place on an isometric grid representing the forest floor, roots, and stones. Battles are turn-based, meaning characters act one by one based on their Speed.

The Turn Flow

When a character's turn arrives, you can perform two main activities in any order:

1. Move: Traverse the grid within your movement range.
2. Action: Attack, use a Skill, cast Magic, use an Item, or Wait.

Once you have completed your actions, you must choose a Facing Direction. Be careful—your tail is your most vulnerable point!

Tactical Advantages

• Height Matters: High ground is advantageous. Attacks from above deal more damage, while attacking from below puts you at a disadvantage.
• Directional Attacks:
  • Front Attack: Standard damage and accuracy.
  • Side Attack: Increased accuracy and damage.
  • Back Attack: Critical damage and high accuracy. Always try to flank your enemies!

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Your Army (The Colony)

Success depends on how you build your team. Each critter has a specific Job (Class) linked to a natural element, granting them unique strengths.

The Jobs & Elements

• Warrior (Thunder): The backbone of the colony, armed with needle-swords. They channel the Thunder element, striking with shocking speed to break enemy lines.
• Paladin (Light): Noble defenders clad in nut-shell armor. Wielding the power of Light, they can heal allies and withstand the darkness of the deep woods.
• Mage (Water): Wise elders who have mastered Spore Magic. They command the Water element, unleashing the power of the river against their foes.
• Ranger (Earth): Agile scouts with twig-bows. Deeply connected to the Earth, they use the terrain to their advantage, sniping foes from afar.
• Dragoon (Fire): Fearless leapers who mimic the grasshopper. They embody the Fire element, crashing down from the sky like burning embers to pierce their foes.

Elemental Tactics

Remember that elements interact! Fire burns nature, Ice freezes water, and Thunder strikes hard against metal. Choose your squad wisely based on the enemies you face.

Growth

As your critters fight, they gain Experience (EXP) and Job Points (JP).

• Level Up: Increases base stats (HP, MP, Strength, etc.).
• Job Level: Unlocks new skills and abilities specific to that class.

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Tips for Victory

1. Check the Turn Order: Knowing who moves next is crucial. Don't leave a small mouse exposed if a giant enemy moves immediately after.
2. Don't Rush In: Charging alone is a quick way to be defeated. Keep your units close enough to support each other.
3. Manage Your MP: Powerful skills cost Magic Points. Save them for the right moment.
4. Use Items: Berries and potions can save a life when a Healer isn't nearby.
5. Watch Your Back: Always end your turn facing the most likely direction of enemy attack.

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Good luck, Commander. The forest is dark, but your courage shines brighter!

Credits

Graphics

• Character Sprites: Valentina Pantaleoni
  Bravesqueak Graphics © 2018 by Valentina Pantaleoni is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Sounds & Music

• "Space Ball": Claudio Marchi - All rights reserved
• Text Blip Sound Effect: lulyc (Freesound) (License)
• "Five Armies": Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
  • Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
  • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/